Why we speak out

Springfield peace activist protest the war early last year  almost 1,000 soldiers have died since then

PHOTO BY GINNY LEE

On March 15, 2003, just days before the United
States went to war against Iraq, more than 70 of us stood vigil in
front of the Paul Finley Federal Building to speak out against the
coming attack. We’ve been there almost every Saturday since.
Our numbers have dwindled considerably, but the dedicated few who
remain can attest to the varied response our presence has received.

Most observers move passively along. A
surprising number honk and wave or raise thumbs up and otherwise
support our efforts, with some variation on “We’re glad
you’re here.” Fewer people frown or raise a different
digit. Some even tell us to go home, apparently having difficulty
imagining that we could be Springfieldians. We like to believe that
our witness reminds our neighbors and visitors that citizens serve
as patriots by registering dissent to war and suggesting
alternatives to violence.

This war affects all Springfield residents in
many ways. Some of us look at its effects on our loved ones,
primarily the young men and women fighting in Iraq. The number of
military deaths during the “transition” — more
than 800 since June 28, 2004 — has surpassed the loss of life
during the invasion and occupation.

Because so many members of our Illinois
National Guard have served in this war, or may serve at some future
date, we fear for their safety and mourn the loss of life, limb,
and mental stability for far too many soldiers. Many parents worry
that their children will be caught up in a military draft,
suspecting that our government cannot continue an endless
“war on terror” without resorting to conscription.

Some of us also consider the war’s
impact on others: those Iraqis who have lived through the
devastation of their land, the declining health and even death of
their children and other family members, and the loss of their own
livelihoods. Some estimates suggest that Iraq has an unemployment
rate of almost 60 percent as a result of 13 years of U.N. sanctions
followed by war and occupation. According to www.iraqbodycount.org,
between 16,240 and 18,509 Iraqi civilians have died during the war.
But the actual numbers may be much higher. In October, the authors
of a study published in the British medical journal the Lancet estimated
the number of civilian deaths related to the war at about 100,000.
And last week, leading public-health officials in the United
States, Britain, Australia, Canada, and Spain demanded an
independent probe to count the number of Iraqi dead, saying that
the Iraqi ministry of health is seriously underestimating the
number.

Although the Bush administration’s
request for an additional $82 billion is likely to pass Congress,
our national debt — a dubious legacy for our children and
grandchildren — has grown astronomically, Social Security is
threatened, states are decreasing funding for an already ailing
Medicaid system, other domestic programs are being shortchanged,
and the environment is at greater risk than it has been for years.

All of these policies affect
Springfield’s poorest of poor, marginal wage earners,
students, elderly, folks just getting by, and people who consider
themselves faithful proponents of spiritual values espousing love
over greed.

Of course, there are still those who
aren’t troubled by the inconsistencies — some would
call them lies — of an administration that felt justified in
the pre-emptive attack of a sovereign nation. However, many
attribute ulterior motives in what they consider a war for oil and
dominance in the region. They look at companies such as
Halliburton, Bechtel, and Lockheed Martin as war profiteers and see
that the Department of Defense has yet to make good on the promise
of adequately equipping our own soldiers.

Many of us see that the only realistic
solution to terrorism is global justice promoted by a United States
that influences other countries by positive example: respect for
the earth and its dwindling resources, policies rewarding
businesses that support and encourage fair trade, healthy and open
diplomacy that helps to stabilize governments, and the reduction and eventual
elimination of our own weapons of mass destruction.

Recently I asked Bill Houlihan, one of U.S.
Sen. Dick Durbin’s staff members, what we can do to effect
change in our government’s policies. His answer:
“Educate yourselves and inform others.”

Taking his words to heart, we have compiled a
month-long series to counter terror by building justice. Hope to
see you there!

Peace Plan

Area religious organizations and peace groups
mark the second anniversary of the U.S. attack on Iraq with a
monthlong series of meetings, vigils, concerts, and protests.

The observances begin this Saturday, March 19, with an 10:
30 a.m. interfaith service at the First Church of the Brethren,
2116 Yale Blvd., followed by a noon vigil for peace at the steps of
the Capitol, Second Street and Capitol Avenue.

At 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 23, area poets and
writers speak out on peace in the Carnegie South room of Lincoln
Library, Seventh Street and Capitol Avenue.

Noon-2 p.m. on Good Friday, March 25, peace
activists will observe the Way of the Cross, starting at the state
Supreme Court building, Second Street and Capitol Avenue. (For
information, call 217-523-4049.)

A noon vigil will be held Saturday, March 26, at the Paul
Findley Federal Building, Sixth and Monroe streets.